Youth Education » Bnai Mitzvah Preparation

Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is among the most important milestones in the life of a Jewish person. According to our tradition, this transition to "Jewish adulthood" technically occurs at age 12 for girls and 13 for boys. However, our custom at Kol Emeth is to celebrate this milestone for all of our young people at age 13. Children of Bar/Bat Mitzvah age are counted in the minyan, can be called to the Torah and can serve as shaliach tzibur (prayer leader) in our adult services. Ethically, young people are now held accountable for all of their actions. Among the most important of the Mitzvot is learning Torah. From the day of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah forward, the responsibility to continue learning is transferred from the parent to the young person (although a little “zetz” from the parent is always in order).

Our youth education programs help upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah students feel intellectually and spiritually prepared for this milestone. At the same time, 6 months ahead of the big day, students begin intensive preparations with Jeff Schwarz, our B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator. They also study their Torah portion and offer their own reflections with the guidance of Rabbi Booth or Rabbi Graff. During their 6th grade year, upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah students engage in community mitzvah projects such as reading to children at a local library or collecting eyeglasses for elderly people.

At Kol Emeth we are particularly proud of our individualized approach to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah process. We work with each family and student to find a comfortable but challenging level of involvement in the service so students can feel a true sense of accomplishment. Our Bar/Bat Mitzvah students chant anywhere from one aliyah to the full Torah reading, and lead varying amounts of the Shabbat morning service. Bar/Bat Mitzvah dates are chosen during the 5th grade and at that point we begin to map out the road of preparation toward this milestone.

The B'nai Mitzvah Preparation Guide will help you learn everything you need to know to prepare for a B'nai Mitzvah with Congregation Kol Emeth.

Contact Jeff Schwarz to discuss the B'nai Mitzvah Process: jeff@kolemeth.org.